In today’s hyperconnected digital landscape, cybersecurity is no longer confined within an organization’s walls. With supply chains expanding, cloud-based vendors growing, and outsourcing becoming routine, the greatest vulnerabilities often lie with third parties. This is where professionals in Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) step in, responsible for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating the cybersecurity risks posed by external partners of CEH.
You might also like: A fresh take that complements what you just read.
The role is pivotal. A single weak link in the vendor ecosystem can lead to data breaches, ransomware infiltration, or regulatory violations. TPRM professionals must assess not only contracts and compliance reports but also the technical security postures of partners, service providers, and subsidiaries. Their work blends cybersecurity awareness with business risk evaluation, requiring both strategic judgment and technical credibility.
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification equips Third-Party Risk Managers (TPRM) with enhanced precision and insight. Unlike certifications that concentrate only on governance or compliance, CEH immerses professionals in real-world attack strategies. Through over 220 hands-on labs that simulate a wide range of cyberattacks, CEH provides practical training, helping TPRM professionals gain a deeper understanding of third-party vulnerabilities and how they can be exploited. This experience makes them more skilled in reviewing penetration test reports, asking critical questions during vendor assessments, and spotting potential red flags that might otherwise be overlooked.
As AI becomes a standard part of modern vendor operations, the latest CEH with AI powered capabilities is particularly valuable. It covers emerging threats such as AI-generated phishing, automated credential harvesting, and intelligent malware distribution. TPRM professionals trained in CEH are better positioned to assess whether a vendor’s AI systems introduce new risks or rely on unvetted models. This is especially important as organizations rely more heavily on automation across global service providers.
The Learn-Certify-Engage-Compete model behind CEH encourages continuous professional development. For TPRM professionals, engaging in red and blue team simulations and real-world scenario exercises allow them to test vendor risk assumptions and practice response planning. These exercises help build resilience in cross-organization breach scenarios where coordination and fast action are key.
The impact of the CEH certification is evident in the CEH Hall of Fame 2025 Industry Report, which draws insights from 460 professionals across 93 countries. A remarkable 100% of respondents reported increased respect and recognition in the workplace after obtaining their CEH, with the same percentage stating they would recommend the certification to others. Additionally, 99% affirmed that CEH positively impacted their careers, and 99% highlighted the importance of virtual labs in developing practical hacking skills. Moreover, 97% confirmed that CEH effectively addresses emerging cybersecurity threats, and 91% believed it provided them with a competitive edge over other certifications in the field.
Third-party risk will only increase as businesses digitize and expand across borders. TPRM professionals must think beyond questionnaires and compliance checklists. They need to anticipate how attackers might target a partner, infiltrate a network, or pivot across systems. CEH provides the mindset and hands-on skill set to do exactly that.
Download the full report here
To explore all our latest posts in one place, be sure to visit the 2A Magazine.
